The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly known as RCIA, is the process through which adults prepare to enter the Catholic Church or complete their initiation into the faith.
Participants learn about Catholic teaching, prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, and the life of the Church as they prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
But learning what the Catholic Church teaches is only part of the journey.
Many people entering the Church have questions that go much deeper:
Why Catholicism? Why the Eucharist? Why confession? Why Mary? Where did the Bible come from? Why does the Catholic Church claim authority? What happens when someone challenges my faith?
That is where OCIA 2.0 comes in.
Bring Something Different to Your Parish OCIA Program
Looking for something more engaging than another classroom lecture?
I speak to OCIA groups about the questions people actually ask when considering Catholicism — authority, Scripture, salvation, baptism, the Eucharist, Mary, confession, science and faith, and why the Catholic Church claims to be the Church Christ founded.
OCIA 2.0 is designed to supplement—not replace—your parish’s existing program. The goal is to reinforce what participants are already learning while spending more time on the “Why?”
Presentation Topics
Programs can be customized for your parish and can include one presentation or a series.
Why Catholic?
How does Catholicism address some of the biggest questions human beings eventually confront?
- Origin: Where did we come from?
- Meaning: Why are we here?
- Morality: How should we live?
- Destiny: Where are we going?
Rather than treating Catholicism as a collection of disconnected doctrines, we look at how the Catholic worldview fits together.
Becoming a Fully Engaged Catholic
Entering the Church should be the beginning, not the end.
We explore practical ways Catholics can continue growing through:
- Prayer
- Education
- Ministry
- Evangelization
The goal is not simply to know more about Catholicism, but to live the Catholic faith.
Catholic Questions People Actually Ask
Presentations can also address common objections and misunderstood Catholic teachings, including:
- Where Did the Bible Come From?
- Is the Bible Alone Enough?
- Why Do Catholics Call Priests “Father”?
- Why Mary?
- Is the Eucharist Really Jesus?
- Faith, Works and Salvation
- Baptism and Being Born Again
- Science and the Catholic Faith
- Why Are There So Many Christian Churches?
- What About the Crusades?
- Why Does the Catholic Church Claim Authority?
Questions Are Encouraged
OCIA participants should not be afraid to ask difficult questions. In fact, questions are often where genuine understanding begins.
Each presentation includes time for participants to ask about Catholic beliefs, Protestant objections, Scripture, Church history, or anything else they may be wrestling with as they consider entering the Church.
Help Them Understand the “Why”
People are more likely to retain and embrace what they are learning when they understand how the pieces fit together.
OCIA 2.0 works alongside your priests, deacons, catechists, and OCIA team to reinforce Catholic teaching from another perspective—using Scripture, history, reason, and straightforward conversation.
The objective is simple:
Help people entering the Catholic Church understand not only what Catholics believe but also why they believe it.
And help prepare them to explain and defend that faith when someone eventually asks:
“Why are you Catholic?”